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Matakana War Memorial heritage application

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Matakana War Memorial heritage application

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Welcome to Klaut.

Klaut is the publishing, production, and communications company of Grant McLachlan – a New Zealand-based writer. Grant is a prolific investigative writer of fiction and non-fiction for newspapers, books, and screen.

A former hearings commissioner, barrister, and solicitor*, Grant has worked in the public and private sectors, ranging from a Parliamentary researcher and campaign director to a planner and infrastructure specialist. His columns in New Zealand newspapers and his pro-bono work has assisted many people involved in disputes with central and local government authorities.

On this site you will find links to his current and past work. There are several projects in development so please watch this space.

Sparrow

A Chronicle of Defiance

An epic account of The Sparrows

- Battle of Britain gunners who defended Timor as part of Sparrow Force in 1942.

It is the story of Charlie McLachlan's war: a triumph of stubborn Scottish defiance and laconic Aussie genius over the relentless violence of man and nature. Charlie survives and bears witness to some of the landmark days of World War II.

Media Coverage

ACT’s small-state pitch is a big-state con

Andrew Ketels wants a leaner public service. Follow the money and it is his own client base that keeps getting bigger.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Aug 234 min read

The problem with MMP is Luxon, not MMP

A Prime Minister who can't manage his own coalition wants voters to fix his problem for him.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Aug 64 min read

Who is the state really housing?

How New Zealand’s great housing experiment turned from sheltering the poor to subsidising the people who profit from them.

Feature

Grant McLachlan

May 3010 min read

Manufacturing the poor: How neoliberalism built the welfare state it loves to hate

How neoliberal governments manufactured the social crises they campaign against — and why beneficiary bashing is the oldest con in New Zealand politics.

Feature

Grant McLachlan

Feb 2718 min read